The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-07
At GETTYSBURG
Blue and Gray Clasp Hands in Frater-
nal Greetings.
A Significant Gathering on that
Historic Field.

ailording the strongest possible proof of the
kindly feeling that exists between the men
who first met on that memorable spot in deadly
conflict. The welcome Of the Philadelphia Bril-
Cade 10 the survivors of Picketts renowned
Division of Lees army was n warm one About
400 survivors of Pickeii's Division arrived IN
the evening OF July ., and were received by
the Philadelphia Brigade and escorted from
the depot 10 the Eagle Hotel, where a stand-up
lunch was given them. after which all made
for the County Courthouse. There the first
Campfire of the blue and gray upon the historic
ground Of Gettysburg was held. When all was
ready Gen. Burns assisted the widow of Gen.
Pickett 10 the stand. and amid tremendous
cheers which shook the building introduced
her and her son 10 the audience. She was yisi-
bly, affected, aud with difficulty restrained the
| tears. Whenever Gen. Picketts name was
mentioned the cheering was tremendous. When
Col. Aylett, Of Virginia, becoming excited,
mentioned the flag of the Union, the whole
audience arose and shouted itself hosrse.
At o'clock the meeting was called 10 order
| by John w. Frazier who presented Comrade
/ w. ). Stockton as the presiding officer of the
! meeting. Mr.. Stockton in turn presented Col.
Charles III. Banes, President Of the Philadel-
| phis Brigade Association, who said:
COL. BASEs's ADDRESS.
FEIIow-eITIzEys AND MEMBERS OF PIcKErT's
DIVISION OF THE ARMY or NoKTHERS VIRGINIA:
/ An honorable aud pleasing duty has been assigned
i 10 rue by the Philadelphia Brigade, Of the Second
Division, Second Corps Army Of the Potomac
This veteran brigade OF the Union army, COM
/ posed Of the G9th, list 72d and le6ih Pa, upon
more than one occasion during the dark hours OF
4 the Republic. encountered your people IN active
warfare and 20 fell To our lot 10 meet la hostile array
aud deadly conflict ia what may be truly called The
crisis OF the battle of Gettysburg, within the sight
Of the masses Of both arniies on that memorable
! afternoon of July 3 1868.
The incidents OF the conflict crowd upon faster
/ Than pen write or tongue narratc; the ceasinS
Of the cannonnde, the powdeT-siained artillcTymen
Epnnging the caissoHs TO witness the scene, the
emerging Of your gray lines OF battle from me
/ range Of Seminary Ridge. the plunging shot and
canister that tore your ranks as you moved forward
60 the assault The occasional aud deliberate halt TO
slraighten your lines, disrupted by the bursting
| Shells and The quickly renewed onward charge
until your division surged against the position held
] 10y brigade like tidal wave OF battle, viii
never while memory lasts fade from those who
witnessed the scene. kemper Garnett. officers Of
the line and men ia the ranks, are struck down.
while Armistead. sword in hand. leads the van OF
| attack and, with hundreds of men equally brave,
reaches our lines only to die a soldiers death.
We have dwelt for few moments on the incl
dents of battle for the reason that place and the
associations compel the reference; hut to-day SOL
diers Of the contendng armies. meet n Gil liens
Of united country. The Old issues are dead and
| new ones confront us. We who have fought the
blue and the gray can discuss the past, II need. IN
the light Of the present, "a travellers who, ailer
perious journeys aud conflicts by the way. sit down
] on the mouutaniop and review the scenes through
| which they have passed and the dangers Of the
| road over which they have lOurnGNed.
We welcome you 10 this historic field and its
memories with true sOldieriy greeting. In the per
Torrance Of this duty would fail to hOnoTably
acquit ourselves did we not announce to you that
the spontaneous movement of tile Philadelphia
Brigade in the tender of this reception has the
cordial and practical support Of our ciiiEens Of all
classes and pursuits OF ltie.
CAPT. REEVES RESPONSE.
Upon behalf of Pickett's veterans Capt. C. P.
Reeve, OF Richmond, the commander Of Pckett's
4 Inn nj al
FRIyYDs AND COMRADES: desire for my self and
comrades tender you our heartfelt thanks Tor the
kind, cordial and hearty welcome extended Us on
iais au occasion never TO he forgotten 10y u-. but
chcri she'd and remembered hs n bright spot in the
chcckcrcd pathway of life. . . And what
shall say for those, my comrades. endcAred by
priyat.Ons shared. haFdships endured aud dangers
1 cncouuicrcdg Scarcely IL there battlefield from
Bun Run To AppOmattox on which some dear 10
me did not crown with their lives their devotion 10
their native slate. Dear comrades, honored G-
men, loved as companions, cold ia death will my
heart be ere l cease 10 love aud honor you! Yet
my heart IL large enough to embrace my whole
county. from the Atlantic to the Pacific from the
lakes 10 the gulf; To rejoice in her prosperity. "a
glory la her greatness; TO feel thrill VI pride when
her course n glorious As her might L. resstless
, / when her maguanimiiy equals her power. Aud
TO you. gentlemen OF Gettysburg, let say this is
| an opportunity TO display a mHgnanimity worthy
oi ils great Nation Leave 10 time, the toucistone
which tries ali human action the question of right
aud wrong involved; let the future historian,
probably yet unborn, Try the cause; and prosperity
will render verdict which is apt 20 be just. TC
them let leave IL. Its deeds have been done IL,
drama closed; but for our country there remains
future. We too, are making history. II this oc-
csiOn being In the interest OF peace aud rcconciiia
tiOE will ill bright page ia that history. with
cord similar Eeuniou, national IN its char acier
in which should be buried all raucOr and hatred
from which we would 80 forth not merely cti
, zeus, but friends and brothers, animated by one
nim-lhe greatness and glory Of our common
country. Adopt, ia It's true spirit the Union monu
ment suggested, and with a magnanimiiy broad
aN.Vs.. NNtl "a
enough 10 bury ia oblivion the bitterness and hat,
OF past strife build on the spot suggested monu
ment 10 imnloraaiize American Nalor and demon
straie American mRgnaaimity. Let the whole
country join with the National Government an,
every Stale ia the Union. Complete it. If possible
| by the 18th anniversary Of the battle; send gu
, your invitations. and my word for IT, GeitysburI
> Will witness such a gathering The whole WORE
has seldom Its hills and valleys dotted wit
1 white tents, not filled with angry com blatant e
ready 10 BuTl each other 10 destruction, but wit
| the highest type Of American manhood ready 4
= join hands in true and hearty reconciliation
. / which shall make again a united aud happ
z people. DO THIS, and write the name Of Americas
a higher on the roll Of true fame than you coul'
q have done had you been able TO write yourseve
q victorious every battlefield Of the war. car
s not but believe that this suggestion will oommen
y itself To the good meu everywhere ia our bToa
s land. aud IL properly carried out will do more 1
a restore true friendship in the sections than an
. other thing that could be done. Let Us. IN
!, couniryinen, embrace the opportunity. aud max
u one page IA American history which shall shin
o with "A lusieT unsurpassed by any recorded sine
2 the world began.
: Col. A. X. Mcclure extended welcome fror
the State Of Pennsylvania 10 the Virginians
COL AYLETT's SENTIMENTS.
y Col. VIM. X. Aylett, who succeeded Ger
! Armistoad MS commander Of the brigade upo
"a the death Of Armistead, having been chose
: 10 respond on behalf of the State OF Virginia {
u Pennsylvania welcome, paid Col. Mcclure
= warm tribute for his generous greeting
"a Among other things he said:
3 utter IL a sentiment that comes yelling u
from every bosom of Virginia aud the south that Ia
70 man who would rckindle again that feeling whc
D, filled our land with death and tears nHd grief ara
IL mourning, with graves aud suffering, is not onl
!; unworthy of the high title Of American citizen bt
~ of that Of human being. and should find n
i home or friends earth or ln heaven. Let no ID,
l. liiician, for selfish and unworthy purposes ian III
dead eInlcrs Of fratricdal strife but let the grea
- warm aud generous heart Of our Nation, with N
throb OF the ocean. as il moved by all the tempes
OF Gods whole universe, speak its Numbered COZ
dcmnaton Of any effort 30 vile wicked and uI
worthy.
lr He said that the assassination OF Lincol
10 was great calamity for the South, and no
"a that the storm has passed and passion sui
8 sided, the South loves aud reveres his memor
% aud that Of the great Captain who was kin
a and magnanimOus in the hour Of victory
&c AppomattoK. Then he continued:
"a WHAT MATTERS THE FLAGS?
There Is not true at the South today b.
who feels AZ lac would like TO stand AT the toni
Of Lincoln and Grant TO plant flower and
,r water IL with a manly teari la the presence of
feeling like this too sacred and deep for uteranc
~ what matters il who shall keep the baiilenag q,
They passed into your hands la brave and mani
combat untouched 10y dshonoT, after a baptis